davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
THE MISERICORDIA.

The stranger in Florence often meets
in his rambles through the streets of that
charming city weird procession, pass
ing swiftly and silently through even the
most crowded thoroughfares. Vehicles
and pedestrians make room for it. The
ragged street urchins never follow in its
wake. No noise is made as it passes by.
Wherever it goes people raise their hats
in silent homage, and both rich and poor,
old and young, reverently step aside as it
occupies in its hurried march the narrow
sidewalks.
The procession generally consists OF
eight or ten men. They are robed in
long black gowns, which reach almost to
the ground, and their heads are covered,
and their faces masked with large, thick
cowls, having small aperture in front for
the eyes, They bear upon their shoulders
amassive bier. At night they carry torch
es, which light up the gloomy streets
with their smoking rays, and in the day
time they move and look like monks on a
mission of mercy. These men are mem
bers of the Confraternita della Misericor-
dia, who voluntarily enter into life of
strict seclusion, and for a definite period
care for the sick, visit the poor, bear the
wounded men and women to the hospit-
ais and bury the dead whom they have
visited during their illness. They are a
band of noble men joined together for
pure Christian, brotherly and charitable
motives.
The order OF the Misericordia was
founded in the year 1914 by Piero de
Tuca Borsi. The care of the sick, poor
and unfortunate were undertaken by no.
bles and rich men, who, in order to ac-
complish their object in the most satlsfac-
tory manner, withdrew from the world to
the Church of the Misericordia on the
Piazza del Duomo and completely dis
guised from the world and each other,
carried on their work in secrecy. During
the petty wars of the many Italian repub-
lies, and the bitter family feuds, the order
remained a monument of charity, and
men who, during life, we're enemies, for
their allotted time, would labor hand in
hand and side by side, together in the
ranks Of the Misericordia.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
FISH STORIES.

Fish stories, it seems, are not merely
of modern invention; and the fellow who
comes back from his days sport with a
pair of wet feet and big story has high
precedent for his marvellous tale. From
the Christian at Work we take the fol.
lowing:
SIN Rees's Lives of the Oambro- British
Saints the story is told how st. Cadoc,
of Wales, found his lost Virgil in a sal
mon. One day, as st. Cadoe was walk
ing by the sea, reading the Latin poet,
gust of wind blew his book into the
water. This occurred in the sixth century,
when books were not plentiful, 80 st.
Cadoc mourned his loss deeply. But one
day not long afterward fisherman
brought him a fine salmon as present;
and in the fish was the very Virgil he
had lost, with not a leaf harmed. 1t was
a fish that restored to st. Eguip, of
Worcester, the key to his letters. Fishes
called by st. Peter Gonzalez came and
gave themselves up to supply his table, and
a crab brought back to Francis Xavier,
the crucifx which he accidentally drop
ped in the sea. The story runs that the
crab leaped out of the water on the shore,
carrying the cruciix 'devoutly and IN an
upright direction between its fms In
Lobmean's Lives of the Saints of Brit
tany,' it is related that once upon a time
st. Paul, Bishop of Leon, requested KING
Mark to give him certain bell; but the
demand was refused. Not lolg after
ward, being in the mansion of the Count
de Witur, the bishop was presented with
the head of very fine fish. On prepar-
ing it for dinner, the very bell which the
king had refused him was found in the
fish. This very bell is pointed out to
visitors in the cathedral at Leon. 1t is
nine inches in height, and seems to have
been beaten into shape by a hammer
Miraculous virtues are attributed TO it"
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
SCIENTIFIC BREVITIES.

The first case of the use of electric
light in lighthouses in England is on the
Firth Of Forth, where it has been re-
commended by the commissioners for the
Isle of Man. The light is equal to 3,000,-
600 candles and will be generated by
two sixteen-horse power engines, driving
two dynamo machines. The engine-house
is some 900 feet from the lighthouse and
is connected by systems of copper rods
one inch in diameter protected by an in
sulated groove, along low cement rub
BILE wall.
Jules Tavernier, an eminent artist, has
just completed an immense panorama
painting representing the Caldera of
Kilau, Sandwich Islands. This is an ae-
curate representation of the great inclos-
ure containing many active volcanic GRAFT
ers, and was completed when they were at
amaximum activity last year. 1t is now
on its way to the United States for ex-
hibition. 1t is said to be intensely realistic.
the incandescent lava being wildly rep
resented, and the whole conception is sue
cessfally carried out.
The United States Consul at Beirut has
recently transmitted to the Department
of State a document detailing the Incl
dents and results of explorations along
the new oil region of the Red Sea. The
first well at Gemseh at a depth of 1875
feet is now pouring out good heavy pc
troleum oil. The work is being pushed
by the Egyptian Government with large
outlay of money. Oil experts from the
United States, England, and Belgium
are directing the enterprise. The best
improved machinery and mechanical con-
trivanees are landed at a good harbor
about two miles from the wells. The
whole district from Gemseh northward
for twenty miles shows Enthusiastically the
presence of oil. The wells are pools of
blackish looking, petroleum smelling,
oily liquid. The first well was sunk to
only a moderate depth, and on going
lower became true flowing well. The
Egyptian Government appears therefore
to be warranted in making such large
outlays.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
1sarm, ftume, and 6arden.
Practical Hints.

The following practical hints have
been tested and found useful, says Good
Housekeeping
Whiting or ammonia in the water is
preferable to soap for cleaning windows
or paint.
You can take out spots from wash
goods by rubbing them with the yolk of
eggs before washing.
The luster of morocco may be restored
by vanishing it with the white Of an
egg. Apply with a sponge.
A mote may be removed from the eye,
or the pain at least alleviated, by putting
grain OF flaxseed under the lid.
Managing Manure.
Among some farmers there is a COM
plant that their horse manure sire
fangs" or passes through the heating
process which is 30 intense that the
manure is well burned up. This is ex-
ceedingly injurious to the manure, and
can, and should be prevented. It occurs
or is likely to occur, when the manure
ID OAiOWh 1OO5oly IlbO pie, anu WlbncuG
being disturbed, will commence to gen.
crate heat. Horse manure has a strong
er tendency in that direction than that of
most any other animal, and this can be
prevented, and the value of the manure
maintained, if attended to as 1T should
be. There is no trouble where, as is
sometimes the case, horse manure is cast
into the hog pen, as it is then worked
over with the hog manure, whereby both
are improved. Another method which is
equally as effectual in preventing heat
ing, is to cart the same under shed
where cattle are accustomed to tread or
to lie; when packed thus closely, and wet,
as it occasionally must be, by the urine
OF animals, it is kept moist until wanted
for use. The same practice in connec-
ton with sheep would be valuable, and
equally as effectuaI. We have always
found that any manure that left to itself
thrown loosely into a pile, was liable to
become heated, when packed tightly
under the tread of animals, would be pre-.
served with all it's manureal value re-
tanned. Sheep manure while thus kept
closely packed, excluding the air, will
not heat, but when loosely pitched INTO
pile will soon heat and expel the value
elements of fertility.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
OUR FEATHERED NEIoHBoRs


The coming and going of the birds is
always a mystery, and regret over their
departure is more than compensated by
the JOY of their return. To watch the
habits, notes and plumage of this fitting
tenantry has a charm all its owp, and
those who do not make friends with the
birds miss rare happiness.
No change OF cline that one is likely to
make, but he finds birds dear from his
childhood as well as unfamiliar. Though
a stranger in strange land, the birds
will be true to him and greet him like a
friend. He may grow old, and his loved
ones die, and change be written on all his
orchards, or on the lawn-in the elm at
his door, or the caves of his house, are
the birds of his youth; the identical song,
the same whistle and call, and to all in
tents the very same birds.
Yes, we may grow old, but the birds
have immortal youth. List to the par
tridge's huml Hark to the high-hole's
call, to the blue birds tender note, to the
vesper hymn of the thrush, the robin 8
joyous chirp, or the meadow-lark's song
so piercing sweet, and you are once more
at home, boy or girl again. These
sounds hold a charm to obliterate whole
decades of years. The springtime of
youth and love return. Again You tread
among the meadow cowslips and scent
the blossoms of the trees where once you
wandered.
Have you not noticed how the song of
a bird will become associated with some
supreme hour in your life OF JOY or sor-
row? You remember John Burroughs
touching Renaissance Of the orioles song.
"Shall l ever again be able to hear the
song of the oriole without being pierced
through and through? Can it ever be
other than a dirge for the dead to me?
Day after day, and week after week, this
bird whistled and warbled in a mulberry
by the door, while sorrow like a pail
daIkened my day"
Through all the bitter months of win
ter, the blue jay has been our fastest
friend, cawing, shrieking and chattering
in the naked woods at the north of us,
and fitting among the lofty pines on the
sloping lawn. When the tender, happy
voices of nature are dead, and summer
birds have flown to kindlier chimes, his
persistent call is full Of bravery and hope,
steadying and cheering our hearts in the
widest storms.
Sometimes his piping is delicious,
And then again tbs simply vicious,
Tho on the whole the varying jangle
Weaves round us an enchanting tangle
OF things to weep or laugh at.
Such mixed up things your voice recalls
With its peculiar quirks and falls.
Possibly your meaning plain
Is that your harsh and broken strain
Tallies best with world of pain
The queer part of it is, that when he
has been good and brave all winter, he
is not affrighted by summer heats, but
holds his ground among the hosts of
sweet-voiced warblers. He is a thief,
though, and a tyrant My boy will never
forget how he stole a bushel of nuts from
the veranda roof before he was discov-
cred, where they were carefully stored to
dry, and our laces spread in the same
spots we're dexterously woven into his
nest. When the blue bird and the robin
comes, he drives them from tree to pillar
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
THE RIDDLE OF THE SPHINX

HE RIDDLE or n r SPHINX.
The riddle of the Sphinx is at length
on the point Of being solved. The great
headed, lion-bodied monument
which has for ages been more than half
buried by the accommodating sands of the
desert, is now being rapidly brought &c
light; and ere long one Of the most ex.
traordinary relics of Egyptian civilization
will be once more visible in its entirety
The work as been going on ever since
January last, when-at the suggestion Of
M. Maspero, the chief director of the
department of antiquities in Egypt-the
French public, III the course of few
hours, subscribed sufficient funds to en-.
able the work Of excavation to be carried
to completion. The interest of such news
for Egyptologists may be conceived, wher
it is remembered that the last time the
Sphinx was dug out OF the sands was by
King Thothmes ", fifteen centuries be
fore Christ, or about thirty-four hundred
years ago. Scholars, in fact, are of the
opinion that the Sphinx is the oldes
monument in the world. In the opinion
OF some, it was erected or chiseled out o.
rock more than forty-five centuries before
the Christian Era. The body is more
than one hundred and eighty feet long
The ears of the human-shaped head art
about six feet in length, the other features
being in proportion. The learned ex
plorers who are engaged in the work Of
excavation hold it probable that wher
the statue is fully brought to light, 6
number of other important discoveries
will be made Journal and Messenger
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
El1c Home Circle.
FOR THE UNIVERSALIST.
WAIT.
BY MRS G. A. soULE.


Waitl 1t is the hardest thing
Mortal man is asked to do;
But he that waiteth patiently
Shall be of the chosen few
That find the golden fruit just here
And pluck it without pain or tear;
Golden fruit doth grow for all,
But golden fruit doth never fall.
Wait you, working all the years
Misunderstanding, without fears.
Wait you, and the ripened peach
Shall be just within your reach.
Waitl The trees must slowly grow
Ere they can blossoms show.
Waitl the spring and summer go
Ere the fruit hath golden glow.
Waitl Nor worry as you wait,
Lest it come too late, too late.
God doth know your every need,
Wait for fruit, but SOW your seed.
Ola sgOp. Scotland.
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-01-26

conner who was apparently short
sighted and unfamiliar with the store,
adjusted her heavy gold eyeglasses
and looked around for guide. But
the floor WALKERS were all occupied,
and after moments indecision she
started to make her way alone to the
other end of the store with the digni-
fled step and the supercilieus glance
of sultana.
The crowd interfered with her pro.
gress, however, and paid small heed to
her dignity and she had been run into
three or four times, and had just
moved aside to avoid young lady
whose bright-eyed baby girl showed a
frantic eagerness to snatch at the gold
glasses, when she found herself
almost in collision with another grand
dame, in silks and sables like herself,
apparently making for the door.
With courteous prbmptness the
sultana drew to the right saying, II
beg your pardon" intending to let the
other pass. But as often happened in
such cases the lady encountered
showed an embarrassing perversity and
lamentablc ignorance of the "rule of
the road" and instead of coming for.
ward, moved back again, a little
testify, perhaps. whereupoh back
bobbed the other. At this, number
one bridled and lifted her chih stifily
aud ogled humber two through her
eye glasses with a frigid glare that
said more than words. Number twb
at once returned the glare through
etc.glasses of her own.
Then, with faint flush in her
naughty face that in brute man
would indicate rising wrath, but In
stltana signifies justfiabl6 impatienee
at another's stupidity, she exclaimed;
"Well, madam, It's either you or L."
The bystanders had already begun
to litter, when the foorwalker oppor.
tunely came up with simper and
tobk in the situation at glance.
mo outlet there, LADY, he said, in
his most unctuous tones, but with a
perccptible twinkle in his eye. This
way TO the pocketbook counter"
The litter of he spectators became
laugh. in which the baby girl Joined
with her ma'nma, and then for the first
time the sultaua saw that she had been
avoiding her ewn reflection and try
ing to walk into tall mirror standing
against the wall.-N. 4. Tribune.
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-01-26
The Lady in TIA shop.

A stately and fashionable dame, d
pictu'rs of luxurious elegance in her
sumpiuous furs and rusting silk and
besds, alighted from her carriage at
an uptown store on Sunday and passed
yhrough the swinging glass doors At
the busiest moment OF the day. The
place was ablaze with color and light
and thronged with fair bargainers and
their happy children, who laughed
and chartered and jostled against one
another in holiday glee. The new'
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-01-26
Logan and Lincoln.

Somebody told one of Lincon's
stories and this started the General.
81 had some doubts for time abott
the authenticity bf the stories attrit.
uted to Lincoln" he said, until an ex:
perience of my own with him. | was
sent from the West by Grant with
some dispatches which were to be
delivered to the President in person.
1t was late Saturday night when got
into Washington. The next morning
went to the White House and there
was nobody about l made nois at
the door until some one came and said
that Mr.. Lincoln couldn't be seen on
Sunday; it was against the rules. Go
up stairs l said, and tell the Presi-
dent that Logan is here with some i'm
portant dispatches from Grant Pretty
sooon the messenger came back and
told me to walk up. When l got into
the room Mr.. Lincoln was sitting IN a
char with one foot on table and his
head thrown back. A barber was inst
getting through shaving him. He
told me to take seal and be would be
ready to talk to me in few minutes.
The barber finished the shaving and
went to work on the hair. Mr.. Lin
coin saw ME glance at his foot. 1t was
much swollen. Both of his feet, in
fact, were in bad condition. said
nothing, but he commenced talking
about them. They remind ME- said
he, of man in Hangamon county,
who made pretty bad horse trade.
The animal was in awful condition,
but the farmer got him homo. About
two weeks afterwards one of his neigh.
bors mat him and asked him How his
new horse was coming on. Oh, first
fate, said the farmer, he's putting on
flesh fast. He's fat now up to his
knees That's my tix."
"Since then," said Gen Logan, 81
have accepted as authentic all Lincoln
Stories"
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-01-26

"Human nature is queer thing"
said one commercial traveller TO an
other while lettering In railway sta
ton. "Now, s'pose you and | tfS a
little experiment. We will not let on
that we are acquainted at all, and will
happen to meet at the cigar stand.
You buy five cent cigar and I'll buy
two for ii quarter. Then we'll both
sort Of linger as If we wanted to talk
with the cigar man. Which one Of ns
do you suppose he'll talk wlths Why,
With me, of course, because | buy the
high. priced cigar. And the chances
are, too, that, though he'll he polite
enough to you TO your face, youl
backI no sooner BE turned than he
will say something mean about you
Lets try It,"
The othor commercial traveller
Agreed, and, approaching the cigar
stand, they proceeded to carry out the
programme. But instead of snubbinp 4
the 5.center the cigar stand man
turned his back on thc two.fora.quar
TER customer and began talking with
the other Whoreupon the proposer
of the scheme quit in disguest and
walked away. He was presently re
| Joined by the other.
"Your ideas of human nature did
not appear 10 pan out in this case
he remarked.
mo. What did tho fellow have tc
say after | left yous"
"Oh, nolhn' much. He said he
s'posed you thought you was better
than common folks Because you were
putting on style with twe.for-aquarlei
cigars, and added thar. he'd bet five
dollars YOU didn't have boleless
pair OF Socks to your name."-Chicagc
Heuid.
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-01-26
Telling Sh~rInan's Fortune.

Mrs Girard, niece of Gen. McCook,
did the fortune.telling in the gypsy
tent of the late GARFIELD hospital tair
in Washington. Gen. Sherman came
along. Says the The New York Sun
General" said the well-ma le.up
gypsy, studying the lines in his hand
seriously, you've had almost every
thing you deserve, but there are two
thighs left for you to do
"Yesl what are theye" asked he in
his quick, jerky way, not yet recogniz.
ing the fortunc.teller, who laughed
until her bangles tinkled like little
bells.
"Well, you've got to come back to
Washington to live, and you must
make an investment. | don't advise
you to inycst IN real estate here,
though it would be suie and II good
one. No, inves: IN mining stock. Go
out west and try mine in Nevada"
The general booked at the gypsy
with quick, keen glance, and the
next moment exchimcd:
"Oh, you little wretch, l know you
now. Alec McCook is your Uncle.
He's got Ii lot of shares, and he wants
to sell It,"
1t was Mrs Gliard's turn to be sur
prised at this information. She de-
clared that she knew nothing what.
ever of her uucle's mining stock, and
that her fortune telling was the art Of
pulmistry, learned of Bohemian
while abroad. But the general left
the gypsy tent laughing and uncon-
vinced, acknowledging that ne had
got his half dollars worth OF fortune
IN the fun. And Mrs Girard said it
was more difficult to tell Gen Sher-
mans fortune becatse she knew all
about him.
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-01-26

How Waggish Mark Made Amends.
1t is said once When Mr.. Clemers
(Mark Twain, at the solicition OF his
wife, called On Mrs. Stowe, he WAS 50
absen,minded as to pat on neither
collar nor ncckhc. On Mrs, Clemens
demonstrating on his return he said
would make 1t all right and accord
ingly sent collar and atfe Of his over
to Mrs Stowe in d box,
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-01-26
THE MAIDEN'S RESOLVE.

Uprose the maiden fair and gay,
and said, II must swear off to-day
From something that is clear,
If would be in fashion, so
hereby vow will not 90
10 any play this year,
Unless low-crowned hat l wean
And all the young men will declare
That I'm little dear"
Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-03-25
IN MEMoRIAM

Departed this lie a. hIs late resideace 10
Charles county on Thursday. the lTts ia.t.oi, 4,
THOMAS BEsJAHS DgLonEs. eyed g. y.ars.
leaving . widow sad Q family OF four sons aud
tour daughters 10 mourn bis loss.
Few m.n moving 10 the private walks o lrfs
havs passed from The st.ge Of their earthly eI-
i,r.nce leaving bshind then = brighter asi a
purer nam. than the subject OF iti, noIio.. 10
al the varied relations OF lie be So d.n.snsd
himself as 10 challenge the un.,iated -prrorsI
and respect Of all y ho came ~ithiu ID. Gree
Of his acquaintspc~ II was The fortune of The
writer Of this tribsie 10 his memsry 10 have -n
loved the AGO .aintancs and frIssd.hip Of The
deceased for long period OF time. .ad as a
member of the Bar to have been repeatedly
brought ints close business relations, wiIh him
Al all times and under all circumstances th-r.
found in him The courteous. Chr'stisu
gentleman, ths sisadia sdherent to truih,
The answering uPholdrr OF justice and rish,
against wrong He 7ss remarkably gent..
quiet and unohiru>ive 10 bis manners, and like
all met OF true worth and geou'ne merit MAS
most unappreciA,irs Of himsef HIS pslh~sy
through life VAS gisddeued by the sunlight OF
Macy a warm and genuine friend, whose sorrow
mineles With that OF bis pesr kindred. From
the follres and viees Of the sge in which We live
he WAS sineularly exempt, and gave TO the
young men Of the community nj all times n
example verify of their limitation. When 80
good 4 MN and worthy ciiiz-n lays down
ibe burden OF life nd passes 10 his reward be-
You'd the grave. the public sorrow NAV well
rninsIc y Ith private ard domestic ari-'. Though
he has forever gone from our midst; and all
that is earthly Of him is sl-eping beneath The
cold sod n-sr his babit.tion in lite, .b;re are
thoss living oats,je his immediate family wh.
will not soon forget him apd viii cherish his
memory With af-ciionAte regard To his
children he b.. lett that hich is beter than
riches, the heritage of spotless name and u
blaneless life. They can best testify their 6lisl
devotion by emul.iiBg bis virtues. md practic-
ing the lessons inculcsted by bisirrrproac able
life fss